Sean Gardner
By Hunt Palmer
Only Mississippi State has appeared on LSU’s schedule more often than Ole Miss over the years.
The Tigers and Rebels first met in 1894 during Grover Cleveland’s second term as President. The hand-cranked pencil sharpener and spring-loaded mouse trap were both created that year, as well.
Both teams have gotten into a little hot water with the NCAA over the years, so the series record may change depending on how many vacated wins are included. We’ll go with 66-43-4 in favor of LSU. Either way, LSU has beaten Ole Miss more times than any other opponent, and no school has beaten Ole Miss more in Rebels’ history.
THE CLASSICS
LSU owns the two most impactful wins in series history, too.
On Halloween Night in 1959, Billy Cannon nabbed a Jake Gibbs punt at the 11 yard line and took it back 89 yards for a touchdown to propel No. 1 LSU to a 7-3 win over No.3 Ole Miss. The Tigers, who were the defending national champions, remained unbeaten and ranked No. 1.
What happened the last time LSU and Ole Miss faced off as unbeaten teams? Billy Cannon’s iconic 89 yard Halloween punt return. pic.twitter.com/qpzvUonlp0
— Rivers Hughey (@RivsHughey) September 22, 2025
Cannon would go on to win the Heisman Trophy, and that meeting of 7-0 teams 66 yards ago was the last time LSU and Ole Miss met unbeaten. It will happen again on Saturday night.
The second most consequential game between the two foes was on November 22, 2003, when the SEC West was essentially on the line. LSU was 9-1 and ranked No. 3. Ole Miss, behind senior quarterback Eli Manning, was 8-2 and ranked 15th. Ole Miss used an early pick six off Tiger quarterback Matt Mauck to take a 7-0 lead, but the Tiger defense stiffened over the course of four quarters and only allowed one more score. Touchdown tosses to Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson were enough to put LSU ahead late, and on Ole Miss’s final drive, down three, Manning took a fourth down snap and tripped on an offensive lineman’s foot to end the drive and secure LSU’s victory.
Never forget that Eli Manning lined up under center on a 4th and 10 with a chance to go to the SEC Championship on the line. He would get tripped, LSU wins the game, the SEC, and the Natty and Ole Miss still hung a banner #GTHOM pic.twitter.com/RwwUNjXlxm
— Beaux Hall (@BeauxGang) September 22, 2025
The Tigers would win the SEC West, SEC Championship Game and the school’s first national title since 1958 that season.
LAST TWO MEETINGS
The last two between these teams have been heart-stoppers decided on the last play of the game.
Two seasons ago in Oxford, the offenses set Vaught-Hemingway Stadium ablaze in a track meet never before seen between these longtime rivals. The teams combined for 1,343 yards of offense and 14 touchdowns in regulation. Eventual Heisman winner Jayden Daniels went 27 of 36 for 414 yards and four touchdowns while also running for 99 yards. It wasn’t enough.
Rebel signal caller Jaxson Dart threw for 389 yards and accounted for five touchdowns of his own.
LSU led by nine points with 8:43 left in the game and couldn’t hold the lead. As time expired, Daniels fired to the endzone from 25 yards out. The ball hit a leaping Chris Hilton between two Ole Miss defenders who knocked the ball free to seal the Rebel win.
Last year, LSU returned the favor with a dramatic win on the last play.
LSU never led the game until the final play, a 25-yard touchdown toss from Garrett Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy on the Tigers’ first snap of overtime. The game only got that far because of Nussmeier’s heroics on LSU’s final drive in regulation. The Tigers trailed by seven with 3:09 to go with the ball at their own 25. Nussmeier piloted the 13-play drive that knotted the score. It featured two fourth down conversions including the game-tying touchdown to Aaron Anderson on what remains the best throw of Nussmeier’s LSU career.
Under Armour All-America game alum Aaron Anderson scored the game tying TD last night for LSU in their OT win over Ole Miss 😎 #UANext
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) October 13, 2024
LSU defense backed Ole Miss up in overtime and forced a 57-yard field goal that was good but wasn’t enough for the Rebels.
ALL TIME RECORD
Overall: 66-43-4 LSU
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